Denver-based band Gungor earned its third Grammy Award nomination in two years when “Ghosts Upon the Earth,” was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album last night by the Recording Academy.

Michael Gungor and his wife Lisa will go up against Christian mainstay artists Chris Tomlin (“And If Our God Is For Us”), Brandon Heath (“Leaving Eden”), Leeland (“The Great Awakening”), Mandisa (“What If We Were Real”) and new artists Royal Taylor (“Black & White”).

Here’s a link to all the nominees. Christian rock is under the Gospel heading (No. 11) and includes just five categories, which is a shame since Christian music, includes heavy metal, rock, gospel, rap, hip-hop and all the “regular” genres.

I’m a Denver Post sports copy editor, who covers Christian music in my spare time. I’m a rocker at heart. Grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, The Who ... classic rock is what they call it now. I was introduced to Christian rock by my cousin, Sharon. My first Christian rock experience was Atlanta Fest when I saw this new group — Third Day — playing in front of about 50 people at an outdoor picnic area.